OCI appoint crisis management sub-committee

The Olympic Council of Ireland has appointed a three-person management sub-committee to lead the Council's response to recent events at the Rio Olympics.

The sub-committee comprises Sarah Keane (Swim Ireland), Prof Ciaran O’Cathain (Athletics Ireland) and Robert Norwood (Snowsports Association of Ireland) and the have been instructed to appoint an international accountancy firm to conduct an independent review of ticketing arrangements in Rio.

The OCI board meeting came just hours after it emerged that Brazilian authorities ordered six members to submit their passports as part of the investigation into the illegal sale of tickets for the Olympic Games.

Chef de Mission Kevin Kilty, General Secretary Dermot Henihan and CEO Stephen Martin all had their mobile phones and laptops seized, while acting president Willie O'Brien, personal assistant Linda O'Reilly and FAI chief executive John Delaney were ordered to relinquish their passports.

"This evening the Executive Committee of the Olympic Council of Ireland met for the first time in person since the Games began in Rio," a statement from the OCI read.

"The Committee discussed recent events in Rio regarding ticketing arrangements at the Games which it takes very seriously.

"The Executive Committee made the following decisions:

They appointed a three person crisis management subcommittee to lead the Council’s response to the recent events in Rio. This group comprises Sarah Keane (Swim Ireland), Prof Ciaran O’Cathain (Athletics Ireland) and Robert Norwood (Snowsports Association of Ireland).

"The subcommittee will appoint an international accountancy firm to conduct an independent review of ticketing arrangements in Rio. The firm will be selected this week and its work will begin immediately and its terms of reference will be published.

"The report prepared by the firm will be presented to the judge who will chair the State inquiry into the OCI’s handling of ticketing at the Rio Olympics."

Pat Hickey temporarily stepped down from his position as OCI president following his arrest in Brazil five days ago.

The 71-year-old is facing three charges of facilitating ticket touting, formation of a cartel and ambush or illicit marketing and will go before a judge on Tuesday.

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